The Zion Williamson lawsuit is getting red hot for Duke.

The local media may be completely ignoring what has become an intriguing national story, but it is high time they delved into it. Zion is being sued for $100 million by his one-time agent, and the way the case has unfolded it looks like a settlement is off the table.

Zion backed out of his agreement with Gina Ford, an agent in Florida, to sign instead with Creative Artist Agency (CAA), claiming that his agreement with Ford is invalid because she was not a registered sports agent in North Carolina at the time. Her attorneys say this is irrelevant since they believe Zion’s family received impermissible benefits, making him ineligible for his one season at Duke.

The reason this looks like a heavyweight championship match is because Zion’s attorneys are up against Willie Gary, one of the toughest and most ruthless lawyers in the country. So much that the inimitable Stephen A. Smith of ESPN has already chimed in on this.

“We talk in the black community about people like Johnny Cochran, God rest his soul,” Smith said. “Willie Gary’s got that kind of reputation. He’s the real deal. . . make no mistake about it. And having him represent her case against Zion, this man is going to go after it. He’s exceptional at what he does and he’s incredibly influential.

“So, we’ve got to keep our eyes on this situation because the objective is to have Zion under oath answering questions directly as it pertains to his eligibility. You and I both know what kind of trouble you can get into if you commit perjury, if you lie under oath.

“And so as a result of that, for him to be compelled . . . that’s why his case, his team was trying to deny them the right to question him and for him to be under oath having to answer these questions.

“This could have incredible implications when it comes to Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, or anybody . . . this is going to get very dicey for a lot of people other than Zion if he has to testify under oath. Because I can assure you, Willie Gary’s going to ask those questions that are going to make a whole lot of people very, very uncomfortable,” Stephen A. said.

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